Senior Principal Controls Engineer

Baxter Healthcare; Round Lake (IL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan with matching

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid time off 20–35 days

Parental leave

Job summary

Baxter Healthcare in Round Lake, IL, is seeking a seasoned Process/Automation Engineer to drive equipment reliability and digital transformation within a manufacturing site. You will work with Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Quality to implement Industry 4.0 initiatives, validate protocols, and lead CAPA investigations.

The role requires 8+ years in manufacturing engineering, strong regulatory knowledge, and expertise with AB PLCs, robotics, vision systems, and SCADA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of relevant engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Ability to work in a Penicillin/Cephalosporin facility.
• Onsite, full-time role with <10% travel.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, safety standards, and validation practices.
• Experience with automation platforms including Allen-Bradley PLCs and Safety PLCs.
• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley HMIs, robotics, vision systems, and servo systems.
• Familiarity with motion control, VFDs, encoders, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
• Hands-on mechanical proficiency; Serialization and SCADA experience is a plus.
• Experience with Industry 4.0 technologies including AI-based vision and robotics.
• Exposure to Six Sigma, DFSS, and Voice of Customer methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Identify control system improvements and address obsolescence risks to enhance reliability.
• Develop and implement improvement strategies aligned with site priorities.
• Troubleshoot and optimize automated equipment to improve throughput and uptime.
• Advance digital transformation with automation and data integration.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and compliance to meet regulatory requirements.
• Lead validation activities, including test protocols and documentation.
• Lead NCR/CAPA investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Own change control activities for equipment and process modifications.
• Serve as SME for equipment troubleshooting and process performance issues.
• Provide technical direction on complex engineering initiatives to advance plant capability.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Validation practices

Industry 4.0 technologies

Six Sigma / DFSS

Mechanical aptitude

Automation familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLCs

Safety PLCs

Allen-Bradley HMIs

Fanuc/Staubli robotics

Cognex/Keyence vision systems

Rockwell/Yaskawa servo systems

SCADA systems

Serialization

Job description

This is whereyour work makes a difference.

At Baxter, we believe every person—regardless of who they are or where they are from—deserves a chance to live a healthy life. It was our founding belief in 1931 and continues to be our guiding principle. We are redefining healthcare delivery to make a greater impact today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Our Baxter colleagues are united by our Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. Together, our community is driven by a culture of courage, trust, and collaboration. Every individual is empowered to take ownership and make a meaningful impact. We strive for efficient and effective operations, and we hold each other accountable for delivering exceptional results.

Here, you will find more than just a job—you will find purpose and pride.

Your role at Baxter

This is where your expertise helps people

In this role, you will support process and automation improvements within a manufacturing site. You will collaborate with Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Quality to drive improved performance of production equipment. You will be responsible for delivering equipment that supports process reliability, Industry 4.0 initiatives, and plant-wide efficiency, while ensuring process design and operation consistently meet Engineering and Quality standards.

What you'll be doing

• Support daily operations by identifying control system improvements, addressing obsolescence risks, and enhancing equipment reliability.
• Develop and implement improvement strategies that align with site priorities and long term business goals.
• Troubleshoot and optimize automated equipment at the machine and system level to improve throughput, uptime, and repeatability.
• Advance the site’s digital transformation through automation, data integration, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, and compliance teams to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Author, execute, and report on validation activities, including test protocols.
• Lead NCR/CAPA investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Own change control activities related to equipment and process modifications.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for equipment troubleshooting and process performance issues.
• Provide leadership, technical direction, and innovation on complex engineering initiatives that advance plant capability.
• Direct oversight of employees.
  

What you'll bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or related discipline preferred).
• 8+ years of relevant engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work in a Penicillin/Cephalosporin facility.
• Onsite, full‑time role with less than 10% travel.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, safety standards, and validation practices.
• Experience with automation platforms, including Allen‑Bradley ControlLogix PLCs and Safety PLCs.
• Proficiency with Allen‑Bradley HMIs, Fanuc/Staubli robotics, Cognex/Keyence vision systems, and Rockwell/Yaskawa servo systems.
• Familiarity with motion control, VFDs, encoders, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
• Hands‑on mechanical proficiency; experience with Serialization and SCADA systems is a plus.
• Demonstrated capability in developing and performing validation protocols.
• Experience with Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI‑based vision and robotics.
• Exposure to Six Sigma, DFSS, and Voice of Customer methodologies.
  

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. At Baxter, we are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. The estimated base salary for this position is $128,000 - $176,000 annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less than of the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on upon location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses. For questions about this, our pay philosophy, and available benefits.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

US Benefits at Baxter (except for Puerto Rico)

This is where your well-being matters. Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Our health and well-being benefits include medical and dental coverage that start on day one, as well as insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), with the ability to purchase company stock at a discount, and the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), with options for employee contributions and company matching. We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, and time‑off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave. Additional benefits include commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Join us and enjoy the competitive compensation and benefits we offer to our employees.For additional information regarding Baxter US Benefits, please speak with your recruiter or visit our Benefits site: Benefits | Baxter

Equal Employment Opportunity

Baxter is an equal opportunity employer. Baxter evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Reasonable Accommodations

Baxter is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.

25212 W Illinois Route 120 RL/Drug|Round Lake, IL 60073|United States of America